Claflin University is a comprehensive institution of higher education affiliated with The United Methodist Church. A historically black university founded in 1869, Claflin is committed to providing students with access to exemplary educational opportunities in its undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs. Claflin seeks to foster a rich community comprised of students, faculty, staff, and administrators who work to nurture and develop the skills and character needed for engaged citizenship and visionary and effective leadership.
In its undergraduate programs, Claflin provides students with the essential foundation of a liberal arts education. Emphasizing critical and analytic thinking, independent research, oral and written communication skills, the University invites students to use disciplined study to explore and confront the substantive challenges facing the global society. Claflin’s graduate programs provide opportunities for advanced students to increase their specialization in particular fields of study oriented toward professional enhancement and academic growth. Its continuing education programs provide students with expanded avenues for professional development and personal fulfillment.

Undergraduate Programs
•Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Concentration in Accounting and Finance
•Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with
•Non Business Minor
•Bachelor of Science in Management
•Bachelor of Science in Marketing

Undergraduate Programs
•Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
•Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
• Bachelor of Science in Human Performance and Recreation
•Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education
•Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management

School of Humanities & Social Sciences

Undergraduate Programs

Department of Art
•Bachelor of Arts in Art
•Bachelor of Arts in Art Education
•Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design

Department of English & Foreign Languages
•Bachelor of Arts in English
•Bachelor of Arts in English Education
•Bachelor of Arts in American Studies

Department of History & Sociology
•Bachelor of Arts in African & African American Studies
•Bachelor of Arts in History
•Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Department of Mass Communication
•Bachelor of Arts in Electronic Production
•with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism
•with a concentration in Print Journalism
•with a concentration Public Relations
•with a concentration in Radio Production
•with a concentration in Sound Recording
•with a concentration in Television Production

Department of Music
•Bachelor of Arts in Music
•Bachelor of Arts in Music Education

Department of Philosophy & Religion
•Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Religion
•with a concentration in Philosophy
•with a concentration in Religion

School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Undergraduate Programs

Department of Biology
•Bachelor of Science in Biology
•Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics
•Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology
•Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

Department of Chemistry
•Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
•Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
•Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

Department of Mathematics
•Bachelor of Science in Management Information Science
•Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education
•Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
•Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
•Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Graduate Program
•Master of Science in Biotechnology

Unique Programs

Sports & Extra Curricular Activities

Choir, Fraternities, Jazz Band, Radio Station, Sororities, Television Station

College History

Claflin was founded in 1869 by Methodist missionaries to prepare freed slaves to take their rightful places as full American citizens. The University takes its name from two Methodist churchmen, Massachusetts Governor William Claflin and his father, Boston philanthropist Lee Claflin, who provided a large part of the funds to purchase the campus.
Dr. Alonzo Webster, a minister and educator from Vermont and a member of Claflin’s Board of Trustees, secured Claflin’s charter in 1869. The charter forbids discrimination of any sort among faculty, staff and students, making Claflin the first South Carolina University open to all students regardless of race, class or gender.
Claflin opened its doors with Dr. Webster as its first president. He came to South Carolina to teach at the Baker Biblical Institute in Charleston, an institution established by the S.C. Mission Conference of 1866 of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the education of African American ministers. In 1870 the Baker Biblical Institute merged with Claflin University. An act by the South Carolina General Assembly on March 12, 1872, designated the South Carolina State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute as a part of Claflin University. In 1896 the S.C. General Assembly passed an act of separation which severed the State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute from Claflin University and established a separate institution which eventually became South Carolina State University.
Since the administration of Dr. Webster, Claflin has been served by seven presidents: Dr. Edward Cooke (1872-1884); Dr. Lewis M. Dunton (1884-1922); Dr. Joseph B. Randolph (1922 1944); Dr. John J. Seabrook (1945-1955); Dr. Hubert V. Manning (1956-1984); Dr. Oscar A. Rogers, Jr. (1984-1994); and Dr. Henry N. Tisdale (1994-present).
Dr. Cooke left the presidency of Lawrence College to become the second president of Claflin. During his administration, a disastrous fire destroyed the Fisk Building, a proud monument designed by Robert Bates, recognized as the first certified Black Architect in the United States. In 1879 the first college class was graduated.
The Reverend Dr. Dunton, former vice president and development officer, was Claflin’s third president. Dr. Dunton, a graduate of Syracuse University, was a practical educator. Under his administration the law department was set up under the Honorable J. J. Wright, a former Associate Justice of the S.C. Supreme Court; graduates were admitted to the South Carolina Bar; Claflin’s property increased from six to 21 acres. After his retirement, Dr. Dunton deeded his personal home and six acres of land to Claflin.
Dr. Randolph, Claflin’s fourth president, was the former president of Samuel Houston College and former dean of Wiley College. As a professional educator, he placed emphasis on a complete liberal arts education for the students who were inspired intellectually, culturally, and spiritually to launch into varied fields. The high school and upper grades were discontinued, but the first four elementary grades were retained for the teacher education program; this part of the program was later discontinued.
Dr. Seabrook, director of Morgan Christian Center, Baltimore, Maryland, became the fifth president of Claflin. Dr. Seabrook persuaded the South Carolina Annual Conference to increase substantially its annual giving to Claflin. Furthermore, he revitalized the interest of the New England Conference of the Methodist Church in the institution. The endowment was increased, and the curriculum was expanded. The college received its first accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1948.
Dr. Manning was appointed Claflin’s sixth president. He was a Methodist minister and former associate professor at Claflin. Under Dr. Manning’s leadership the faculty was strengthened, the endowment increased and the physical plant was significantly expanded.
Dr. Rogers, former dean of the Graduate School at Jackson State University, became Claflin’s seventh president. Under his administration the enrollment and endowment increased, the Grace Thomas Kennedy building was constructed, the financial base of the college improved, and two capital campaigns were completed. Dr. Rogers also commissioned a master plan to guide campus development into the 21st century.
Dr. Tisdale, Claflin’s eighth and current president, was former senior vice president and chief academic officer at Delaware State University. Dr. Tisdale brought a wealth of scholarly achievement and demonstrated leadership to the University. He declared academic excellence the number one priority for Claflin. The first steps, designed to enhance the academic environment, included the establishment of the Claflin Honors College and the Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, and the national accreditation of more than a dozen academic programs. Graduate programs established include the Master of Business Administration, the Master of Science in Biotechnology and the Master of Education. Facilities enhancements include construction of the Living and Learning Center, Legacy Plaza, the Student Residential Center, the Music Center, and the new University Chapel. Claflin University is now recognized as one of the premier liberal arts institutions in the nation.